Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for sleep apnea, specifically during the periods of May 2016 to October 2017 and December 2004 to May 2005/October 2005 to December 2006. The examiner is asked to consider the Veteran's lay testimony regarding in-service snoring complaints from roommates and his wife’s observations upon return.

The Board has decided that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for OSA and ED, as these conditions are claimed to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The VA will provide examinations to assess the etiology of both conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection due to lack of clear evidence to rebut the presumption of regularity that applies to VA's date-stamping of incoming mail, and thus, the earliest possible effective date is June 1, 2011.

The Veteran's sciatic nerve impairment of the left lower extremity is granted a 40% evaluation, effective from the date of the decision. The claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for lumbosacral strain and sciatic nerve impairment of the left lower extremity remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic lumbosacral strain has not manifested with forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to 30 degrees or less, and there is no evidence of favorable ankylosis. Therefore, a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for this condition is denied.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's current OSA is not related to his active military service and remands the case for a new examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current sleep apnea is either caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and therefore grants service connection for this condition as secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for sleep apnea has been reopened, but the issue of service connection remains pending as a remand is required to obtain an examination and opinion regarding his condition.

The Veteran's service records show back strain in 1968 and 1971. The VA examiner concluded that the current lumbosacral spine disability is less likely than not incurred or caused by his service, but a new examination with opinion is needed due to potential conflicts in the medical evidence.

The Veteran's service connection claim for sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for a medical opinion regarding whether his sleep apnea is related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sleep apnea may be related to his service-connected PTSD, but needs further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected herniated nucleus pulposus with intervertebral disk syndrome (IVDS) is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

Service connection for depression, substance abuse, and sleep disorder has been dismissed.,Service connection for cardiovascular disorder is denied.,Service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome is denied.,Service connection for sleep apnea to include as secondary to service-connected disabilities remains pending and will be remanded for further evaluation.,Service connection for right hip disability to include as secondary to service-connected lumbosacral strain remains pending and will be remanded for further evaluation.,Service connection for left hip disability to include as secondary to service-connected lumbosacral strain remains pending and will be remanded for further evaluation.,Service connection for knee joint pain to include as due to an undiagnosed illness remains pending and will be remanded for further evaluation.,Service connection for respiratory disorder to include as due to an undiagnosed illness remains pending and will be remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has denied service connection for sleep apnea and remanded the issues of patellofemoral syndrome and bursitis, left knee, and vertigo (secondary to hypertension).

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine the current severity of service-connected PTSD, TBI, left wrist condition, left knee condition, and sleep apnea. The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations are also being remanded.

The Veteran's TMJ and sleep apnea claims are granted, with the latter being secondary to her service-connected cervical spine disability. Other secondary service connection claims for various conditions are also granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence regarding his exposure to herbicide agents and verification of his service on the USS Uhlmann in Vietnam.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a right shoulder disability is granted, with reasonable doubt resolved in his favor.,The Veteran's service connection claim for malignant liposarcoma (claimed as lipoma) is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its relationship to service.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disability, low back disability, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Service connection was granted for obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran's anxiety disorder claim remains denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to service and grants service connection for this condition.